Tour de Cure grants boost cancer research at Centenary

Grant Details:

Chief Investigator: Professor Philip Hogg
Centenary Institute Centre for Cancer Innovations and UTS School of Life Sciences
Project Title: Delivering therapeutic radiation to melanoma tumours
Tour de Cure Grant: $100,000

Professor Hogg will use the funding to target melanoma, the third most common cancer in Australia, which often resists current treatments. Using an innovative molecule called Cell Death Indicator (CDI), he aims to deliver targeted radiation to dying tumour cells, triggering a reaction that also destroys nearby living tumour cells. As those cells die, they become new targets for further radiation, creating a continuous cycle that could eliminate the tumour entirely and overcome treatment resistance in patients.

“Each year, around 20,000 Australians are diagnosed with melanoma, and for many, current treatments fall short. This research is exploring an innovative approach to tackle treatment resistance and persistent disease in melanomas that cannot be cured through surgery, offering hope for better outcomes,” said Professor Hogg.

Chief Investigator: Dr Alex Cole
Centenary Institute Centre for Biomedical AI
Project Title: Developing a novel mutant p53 gain of function therapy
Tour de Cure Gant: $50,000

Dr Cole will use the funding to develop a new therapy targeting mutant p53 proteins, which are thought to drive cancer growth and spread. These proteins are associated with aggressive cancers such as ovarian, pancreatic, breast and lung cancers. Leveraging advanced technology, Dr Cole aims to create a system that breaks down these harmful proteins, potentially limiting cancer progression. This approach could pave the way for new treatment options for many cancer types while improving knowledge and understanding of existing therapies.

“There are currently no approved therapies that specifically target mutant p53, despite it being associated with so many aggressive cancers. This research is investigating a new approach to target these proteins, which could ultimately lead to much-needed treatment options for patients facing some of the most challenging cancers,” said Dr Cole.

Read more about the Centenary Institute’s research here.